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Infodemic

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An infodemic, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is an overflow of information, often a mix of truth, fear, speculation, and rumors, during a disease outbreak, which makes it difficult for individuals to distinguish between trustworthy and inaccurate information. This information overload, amplified by modern technology like the internet[1] and social media, can be particularly prevalent during health emergencies. Infodemiology, a closely related concept, is the study of health information and misinformation, encompassing the false or misleading data disseminated during disease outbreaks. The term infodemic rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring its significant role in such global health crises. Proper management of infodemics is crucial for the preservation of democracies, human rights, and overall public health.

Terms definitions
1. ↑ internet. The Internet, a global network of interconnected computer systems, utilizes standardized communication protocols, predominantly TCP/IP, to connect devices across the globe. The term 'Internet' has its roots in the 1849 term 'internetted' and was later adopted by the US War Department in 1945. The inception of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s when computer scientists developed time-sharing systems, which eventually led to the creation of ARPANET in 1969. The Internet operates autonomously, without any central control, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages its primary name spaces. It has revolutionized traditional communication methods and has seen an exponential growth, with the number of internet users growing by 20% to 50% every year. In 2019, more than half of the global population was using the Internet. The Internet protocol suite, comprising TCP/IP and four conceptual layers, directs internet packets to their intended destinations. Fundamental services such as email and Internet telephony function on the Internet. The World Wide Web, an extensive network of interconnected documents, serves as a crucial element of the Internet.
Infodemic (Wikipedia)

For COVID-19 related usage of the word, see Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the adjective, see Infodemiology.
Look up infodemic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

An infodemic is a rapid and far-reaching spread of both accurate and inaccurate information about certain issues. The word is a portmanteau of information and epidemic and is used as a metaphor to describe how misinformation and disinformation can spread like a virus from person to person and affect people like a disease. This term, originally coined in 2003 by David Rothkopf, rose to prominence in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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